Amateur-built S-17 accident near Toledo, Ohio, July 1, 2011
On July 1, 2011 at about 10:30 pm local time, a amateur-built S-17, registered N433GC, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Toledo, Ohio (Toledo Executive Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of control during initial climb for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 1, 2011 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Toledo, Ohio · Toledo Executive Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built S-17
- Registration
- N433GC · no longer on the register · serial 0300011
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he found no discrepancies during the preflight inspection and that the engine run-up and before-takeoff checks were normal. Immediately after takeoff, the airplane entered an uncommanded right turn. The pilot was unable to keep the airplane from turning to the right as it climbed to about 200 to 300 feet above the ground. He pulled the throttle to idle and landed the airplane in a field. The touchdown was hard, and the airplane impacted a rock pile during the landing roll. Postaccident examination revealed that the right rudder pedal was sheared off and that the right rudder cable had slack in it and was twisted around the right rudder horn attachment fitting. If this twist had existing during the flight, it could have caused the uncommanded right turn; however, it is likely that the cable twisted around the rudder horn during the impact when the right rudder pedal separated and allowed the cable to go slack. Additionally, when the cable was straightened, it was noted to be the proper length, and rudder cable continuity was confirmed. Flight control cable continuity was also confirmed from the flight controls to the ailerons and the elevator. No mechanical discrepancy was noted that would have resulted in the uncontrolled right turn.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Hard landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 1,353 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 1,112 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 18, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TDZ Toledo OH at 10:30 pm
- Destination: TDZ Toledo OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04, 3,799 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from TDZ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.